As the end credits appeared and faded, my friend Clarece and I sat in the theater for a while and collectively took a deep breath. We weren’t the only ones to do so. People gradually peeled from their seats and made their way to the exit after witnessing what was a roller coaster of a movie.
“That was like ‘Precious’ on crack,” my friend said with a chuckle.
“Reecie, that was like ‘Precious’ on steroids,” I said with a grin. “I think I’m going to say that in my review.”
“For Colored Girls” is like “Precious” on steroids and for anyone who hasn’t seen the movie, brace yourself for a wild ride that has no loops, only fast straight lines with plenty of turns and long painful drops that will not allow you to catch your breath.
Each minute within the two-hour movie feels as though it slowly gains speed and then BAM! It’s over. No real closure is found within the seven women, only tears, a sisterly embrace and them coping with what is left of a messy life.
“For Colored Girls” is based on the 1977 play “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf,” by Ntozake Shange.
Stage play and screenwriter mogul Tyler Perry intrepidly takes on the challenge to convert this movie from stage to silver screen. He does a swell job; however, Perry is known to capitalize on drama by creating numerous melodramatic moments. This movie is by far, no exception.
For a hint on how extreme this movie goes with drama without spoilers, each female character cries at least three times. Estimated teary-eyed scenes: 7 X 3= 21 or in this case, way too many. I guess everyone is trying to get an Oscar like Monique, these days.
Perry’s directing and writing style is a debate among many that falls in the ranks of basketball player Kobe Bryant. People may dislike their winnings and style of play, but regardless of someone’s dislike, respect is demanded because of their work ethic. Besides, if isn’t broke, why fix it?
I’ll tell you why, because Perry’s overdramatic and at times stereotypical style is starting to have small cracks and soon enough, his base for his writing will collapse. God forbid it does. I’m proud of his success, but growth is expected.
The main flaw in “For Colored Girls” is the amount of time each character spends in monologue. The audience should understand what Perry was trying to do. He was giving the film a good balance between how the stage play flows and how a movie flows, but it wasn’t pulled off in the best way.
I consider myself a poet in some way and a person that can understand abstract art if given enough time.
A few of the monologues in the film either moved too fast or were not just deep, but bottomless pits. Considering that people can read the play, which is said to be similar to a collection of poems, readers can easily go back to a stanza that was not fully understood.
Too bad theaters don’t have TiVo because there were plenty of times when I was lost.
So, is the movie good? After taking a deep breath, yes. With a stellar cast from Phylicia Rashad to Anika Noni Rose, what’s not to like? Plenty, but you’ll probably still enjoy it because just like a roller coaster ride, once its over, you’re more than likely to jump back in line.